10 ways your faith is tested in the modern world

Ever feel like keeping your faith today is like trying to hold onto a wet bar of soap in a tornado? We navigate a world genetically engineered to distract us, exhaust us, and gently nudge us away from spiritual depth. I used to think my biggest spiritual hurdle was staying awake during Leviticus, but now it’s fighting the urge to check Instagram during a sermon. 

The data backs this feeling up—Pew Research Center reports that the “nones” (religiously unaffiliated) have stabilized at around 29% of U.S. adults, signaling a massive cultural shift.

Here are 10 specific ways the modern world tests your faith right now.

The attention economy wages war on your focus

Ever wondered why you can’t sit still for five minutes without reaching for your phone? Tech giants call this the “Attention Economy,” where they harvest your focus for profit. Author Tim Wu notes that we have accepted the “mining of the human consciousness” as usual.

This constant fragmentation tests your ability to “abide.” You cannot pray sincerely if your brain craves a dopamine hit every 14 seconds. We trade the “still small voice” for the loud, constant notification ping, effectively drowning out God with digital noise.

Consumerism acts as a rival religion

Let’s be real: Amazon Prime is the most responsive prayer partner most of us have. You ask (click), and you receive (delivery). Kenneth L. Carder argues that much of the contemporary church reflects this “idolatry of consumerism,” where we shop for spirituality as we shop for shoes.

We often fall victim to the “hedonic treadmill,” buying things for a quick spike of happiness that fades instantly. This cycle tests your faith by whispering that the “next thing” will finally make you whole, replacing reliance on God with reliance on retail therapy.

The cult of busyness kills spiritual depth

“How are you?” “Oh, just busy!” We wear exhaustion like a badge of honor. But as Dallas Willard famously said, “Hurry is the great enemy of spiritual life in our day”. You simply cannot love, listen, or pray in a hurry.

Corrie ten Boom once noted that “if the devil can’t make you sin, he’ll make you busy”. IMO, she nailed it. The modern world tests us by filling our schedules so entirely that we have zero margin for the slow, inefficient work of a relationship with God.

Comparison culture steals your joy

Theodore Roosevelt called comparison the “thief of joy,” and social media put that thief on steroids. Research shows that up to 10% of our daily thoughts involve comparing ourselves to others. We scroll through curated highlight reels and instantly feel inadequate or forgotten by God.

This constant “upward comparison” breeds envy and resentment, robbing our gratitude of its roots. Your faith gets tested when you start believing the lie that God is holding out on you because your life doesn’t look like an influencer’s feed.

Political idolatry demands your allegiance

Have you noticed people are way more passionate about their candidate than their Savior? Recent data suggests a willingness among some believers to support political violence, blurring the lines between faith and nationalism. Politics has effectively become a new religion for many, demanding total loyalty.

These polarization tests determine where your true citizenship lies. It tempts us to demonize our neighbors rather than love them, trading the fruit of the Spirit for the rage of the news cycle.

Moral relativism erodes absolute truth

“Well, that’s your truth.” We hear this constantly. A stunning 64% of adults now agree that truth is always relative to the person and their situation. This mindset directly challenges the biblical claim that Jesus is the Truth.

It tests your courage to stand for objective morality in a culture that views all truth claims as arrogant personal preferences. We face pressure to adopt a “salad bar” spirituality, picking only the parts of the Bible that fit modern sensibilities.

The rise of “workism” offers false purpose

“So, what do you do?” In America, we look to our careers to provide the community and purpose that religion once offered. Derek Thompson coined the term “workism” to describe this worship of work as the path to self-actualization.

But work makes a terrible god. It will eventually burn you out or tire you. This cultural idol tests your identity: do you know who you are outside of your economic output?

The loneliness epidemic isolates believers

We are the most connected generation in history, yet statistically the loneliest. Studies link declining religious service attendance with rising loneliness, yet we still drift toward isolation. We trade face-to-face community for digital facsimiles.

Faith requires a body of believers. You cannot “one another” by yourself. The modern world tests us by offering the path of least resistance—staying home—which slowly starves our need for incarnational connection.

“Church hurt” drives deconstruction

What happens when the place that’s supposed to heal you actually hurts you? It’s a brutal reality. PRRI data reveal that some religiously unaffiliated Americans left their childhood faith due to clergy sexual abuse scandals.

When leaders fail, it shatters trust. This tests our ability to distinguish between the perfection of Jesus and the brokenness of His institution. Many find it easier to walk away entirely than to sift through the rubble.

Therapy culture replaces redemption

“I don’t need a priest; I have a therapist.” While therapy is an excellent tool, it often morphs into a replacement for religion in 2025. We risk “spiritual bypassing”—using spiritual or psychological language to avoid dealing with deep soul issues.

The test here is recognizing that while therapy heals the mind, only God redeems the soul. We must fight the urge to make “self-care” our highest theology.

Key Takeaway

Look, the deck is stacked. The modern world wants you distracted, busy, and self-reliant. But knowing the trap is the first step to avoiding it. Your move: Put the phone down, ignore the “hustle,” and find a quiet moment to just be with God today. FYI, He’s still there waiting.

Read the Original Article on Crafting Your Home.